Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Oct. 26

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Oct. 26

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1. Mood:

Happy and relaxed. I have a good feeling about the week ahead.

2. What’s your favorite number?

The number 9,Cheap Jerseys,Gucci Italia,Cheap NFL Jerseys, because it’s my birthday.

3. Are you more outgoing or shy?

A mix of both. I’m mostly outgoing, but sometimes when I feel like I don’t have anything in common with the people around me I’ll be more of an observer.

4. How do you feel about matte nails?

They don’t really do much for my soul. I prefer shiny things, ya know?

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

Just moisturizer so far. Later on today I think I’ll bust out some Chanel,Coach Outlet Online, because I’m in the mood to channel Coco.

6. Last book you read and loved?

The Time Traveler’s Wife,louis vuitton purses,The New LORAC Holiday Lip Gloss Collection Is Tie Dye For, by Audrey Niffenegger. I can’t wait to read her new book, Her Fearful Symmetry.

7. Brussel spouts — yay or nay?

A big fat yay,MAC Cosmetics Face of the Day- Hot Pink and Silver! Slice them, fry ‘em in a little butter, add some salt and pepper and YUM!

8. What was the last awesome thing you bought for less than $10?

Soap & Glory’s Off Your Face Cleansing Cloths ($7). The wipes feel so soft, and the minty scent instantly wakes me up.

9. Outfit:

Plaid shorts, grey tank top, terry cloth robe. It’s still early, and I quite literally just rolled out of bed.

10. Weekly goals:

Stay relaxed, give Tabs extra loving and playtime (he’s been very interested in the front door as of late), make a new running music playlist, avoid picking my pimples (an old bad habit), stick to my deadlines.

Good morning, gals!

Dawn is breaking here in Nor Cal. I woke up earlier than usual because I was having a dream about aggressive wild turkeys chasing me around a pumpkin patch. It was funny and scary at the same time.

I hope your morning’s been mellow so far. When you get a sec, will you please fill out the Monday Poll below and let me know what’s new with you?

All you have to do is copy the list, pop in your answers and then paste it in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. What’s your favorite number?
3. Are you more outgoing or shy?
4. How do you feel about matte nails?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Last book you read and loved?
7. Brussel spouts — yay or nay?
8. What was the last awesome thing you bought for less than $10?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Talk to you soon, and have a fabulous Monday.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Shimmery Champagne and Olive Make This Dune a Visi

Shimmery Champagne and Olive Make This Dune a Visionaire of Love: The Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Dune

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Next time you happen to find yourself by the Hourglass display at Sephora,21 Ways to Store Your Makeup, have a look at my new favorite duo,Cheap NFL Jerseys, the Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Dune ($38).

Oh,Cheap Jerseys, it’s so gorgeous… One side, a shimmery champagne; the other a deep, shimmery olive with a whisper of smokey black,Cheap Louis Vuitton Outlet Store, but this duo’s good looks are just the icing on the cake. Both shades also blend like coffee and cream. Super silky, highly pigmented, and best of all? — when they’re layered on top of a good primer, they DO NOT MOVE.

Paired with NARS Pro-Prime, they don’t crease or fade for…I don’t know, 14 hours? It really does seem that long. Heck, I even wore them on bare eyelids for fun the other day and still only noticed a couple creases hours later.

Additional makeup worn in this look

Eyes

• MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara (upper and lower lashes)
• NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer (lids)
• Dolce & Gabbana The Khol Pencil in True Black (upper and lower waterlines)

Cheeks

• Hourglass Illume Cr��me-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Sunset (blush on apples and bronzer below apples to contour)

Lips

• Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Fortune

Face

• Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum (cheeks,The New LORAC Holiday Lip Gloss Collection Is Tie Dye For,louis vuitton purses, chin, forehead and nose)
• MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC42, MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC42 and Tarte Provocateur Pressed Powder in Honey (face)
• MAC Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW25, MAC Mineralize Concealer in NC35, MAC Care Blends Essential Oils in Grapefruit + Chamomile (under eyes)

The only catch is the price, but for what it’s worth, I see myself hitting the pan on Dune. I love the combination of colors — I mean,coach handbags outlet sale, this champagne and olive go together so well — and I think they also look pretty great on their own. Together, they’re perfect for an elegant eye look a step above basic brown and beige. Just add black liner and mascara, and you��re good to go.

PRICE: $38
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+ (even at this price)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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It’s Comeback Time- MAC Metal-X Pics and Swa

It’s Comeback Time: MAC Metal-X Pics and Swatches on My NC42 Skin,Cheap Jerseys

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Sometimes I wish I had more eyes, like a Beholder from Dungeons & Dragons or Argos from the Greek myth. Then I could use my peripheral vision to catch Tabs trying to sneak up on me from behind, and I could simultaneously wear more than one of the nine new MAC Metal-X Cream Shadows ($20 each), although that would probably result in some very scary looks and time consuming faces of the day.

Do you remember the Metal-Xs from 2008? Gosh,Coach Factory Outlet Online, that seems like so long ago… Anywho, there was a shade called Gilded Ash that I fell in love with then, so I was pretty stoked to hear about these nine new shades.

MAC changed the design on the pans and upped the price from $16.50 to $20. My meager eyes and I plan to spend more time with these next week and will let you know how we think they stack up against the older versions. For now, here are pics and swatches on my NC42 skin.

Cyber

Virgin Silver


Fusion Gold

Palladium

Rusty

Red Hot Copper

Venetian Tarnish

Vintage Coin

Gold Carbon

Swatches from the left: Cyber,Urban Decay Fall 2011- Swatches, Pics and a Fun Tuesday Face of the Day, Virgin Silver,coach outlet bags, Fusion Gold and Palladium

Rusty (left) and Red Hot Copper (right)

From the left: Venetian Tarnish, Vintage Coin and Gold Carbon

First impressions? I’m a little unsure about the lighter shades in Cyber,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Virgin Silver, Fusion Gold and Palladium. They appear awfully nuanced on my skin,Topshop Cheeks in Luminescence Is Sticking It to MAC Nymphette, but I’m hoping those darker shades in Rusty,cheap louis vuitton handbags, Red Hot Copper, Venetian Tarnish, Vintage Coin and Gold Carbon kick so much @ss as an eyeshadow base.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Sheer, These Benefit Ultra Plush Glosses Are Ultra

Sheer, These Benefit Ultra Plush Glosses Are Ultra Easy to Apply

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Wearing Benefit Bella Bamba Boxed Blush and Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Gloss

Ever get a hankerin’ for easy-to-apply sheer glosses in shades that match your favorite Benefit boxes blushes?

If you do, Benefit’s latest launch might be of interest.

Why? Because it’s Ultra Plush.

The six $16 shades that comprise the Benefit Ultra Plush Glosses match some of the lines bestselling boxed blushes.

The Benefit Ultra Plush Glosses

• Bella Bamba: a sheer, bright watermelon
• Dandelion: a soft pearly pink
• Coralista: a sheer coral
• Hoola: a shimmering golden nude
• Dallas: a dusty rose
• Sugarbomb: a shimmering pinkish nude

Officially,Cheap NFL Jerseys, they arrive at Benefit counters,Coach Outlet Factory, stores and Sephora next month, but I’ve heard whispers about it being stocked at some Sephora stores early.

Here’s a brief look at three of the upcoming shades…

Bella Bamba

Hoola


Dandelion

From the left: Hoola, Dandelion and Bella Bamba

Swatches from the left: Hoola Boxed Blush, Hoola Ultra Plush Gloss, Dandelion Boxed Blush,The Solar-Powered, Super-Duper, Sun-Protecting Tomato, Dandelion Ultra Plush Gloss, Bella Bamba Boxed Blush and Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Gloss

Wearing Hoola Boxed Blush and Hoola Ultra Plush Gloss

Wearing Dandelion Boxed Blush and Dandelion Ultra Plush Gloss

Gotta say,Cheap Jerseys, I really like the texture. They feel comfy on my lips, and I like that they’re non-sticky, especially since it’s been so incredibly windy here lately.

They also have a summery fruit punch flavor and scent that’s juuust right, and I’m definitely diggin’ the packaging.

Okay, but what about how they look? Well,Coach Outlet Store Online, they’re certainly sheer…which I’m okay with. I do like sheer lip glosses, but I think Hoola and Dandelion look more or less alike on my pigmented lips.

Still, I think these could turn out to be good purse glosses because they are so sheer,MAC Cosmetics Face of the Day- Hot Pink and Silver, and consequently easy to apply without a mirror. All three add super soft color and shine,Louis Vuitton, but I wish Benefit had given them a tad more pigment.

PRICE: $16 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming to Benefit counters, stores and benefitcosmetics.com next month (allegedly seen at some Sephora stores early)
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Look Younger — REALLY! — With DuWop Fo

Look Younger — REALLY! — With DuWop Foundation of Youth

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Even though I like to think of myself as youthful (hello, I like all things teenagery, a la The Hills and Us Weekly!), finding a scary white hair on my left eyebrow a few weeks ago gently reminded me of my age, EEK,Cheap Jerseys!

Now I’m on an anti-aging makeup kick,Korres Face Primer- All Hail the $10 Tube!,Coach Outlet Store, hence my new love affair with DuWop’s Foundation of Youth ($38),Coach Handbags Outlet Online, a liquid foundation I picked up on a recent trip to Sephora.

DuWop bills oil-free Foundation of Youth as an “anti-aging” product, one they claim will noticeably reduce the appearance of fine lines and help restore firmness to skin.

It comes in six shades, and the one I have is called Beige.

Unlike most foundations, it comes with an attached brush applicator. You squeeze the tube, which moistens the attached brush with foundation, and then sweep the brush over your face to distribute and blend.

Right off the bat I could see a difference in the texture of my skin. My pores looked smaller, and fine lines appeared softer.

You know how some foundations can actually appear to exaggerate imperfections in your skin as the day wears on? Not DuWop. It maintained a smooth, consistent texture even after a full day of wear.

Before DuWop

After DuWop

This stuff feels weightless on my skin, and half the time I forget I’m wearing it at all. Coverage is sheer to medium, and Beige looks like it just melts into my skin. As if that weren’t enough, it photographs well and hasn’t broken me out so far (*crosses fingers*).

While great, it could have gone down in my personal makeup history book as fantastic had it been packaged differently and had it not come attached to that $38 price tag (ouch).

It’s a little less expensive than my beloved Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation (which runs $42 for a 1 oz. bottle), but it’s still ex-pen-sive.

And I wish I could trade the attached brush for a regular ole’ pump dispenser. I like the brush okay for distributing foundation, but it doesn’t blend very well and leaves a lot of streaks. I usually use my fingers to blend the product instead.

The squeeze tube doesn’t help,Skin Care on the Cheap- 5 Tips (and a Giveaway!), either, making it difficult to deposit the right the amount of product. If I’m not super careful with it (e.g. if I get squeeze happy),Cheap NFL Jerseys,coach factory outlet online, I end up with too much foundation on the brush head.

DuWop Foundation of Youth

Price: $38
Use: A lightweight, sheer-to-medium coverage foundation that softens the appearance of pores and fine lines
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

If you’re dexterous enough to use the brush applicator and don’t mind spending $38 for a lightweight foundation with sheer-to-medium coverage, DuWop Foundation of Youth makes an excellent choice.

You might like Foundation of Youth if…

1. You typically purchase foundations in the $40 price range
2. You are concerned about large pores and fine lines on your skin
3. You desire sheer-to-medium coverage
4. You have combo dry/acne-prone skin
5. You like scented products, as it smells strongly of honeysuckle
6. You like brush applicators
7. You prefer cruelty-free makeup
8. You want an oil-free foundation

Staring at the blank page before you

Okay, who else is counting down the hours until The Hills premiere tonight?

I really want to believe that Heidi will grow a brain this season and ditch Spencer! That boy’s just bad news.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Beauty Retail Therapy for $10 or Less- Pacifica So

Beauty Retail Therapy for $10 or Less: Pacifica Solid Perfumes,coach outlet handbags

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Next time you find yourself on the heels of one of *those* days (mine tend to happen when PMS and work deadlines collide, argh!) and need to relieve some pressure with a little beauty retail therapy, check out these $9 Pacifica Solid Perfumes. Each of the tiny tins houses an organic balm of soy and coconut waxes in one of 21 Pacifica scents. Great for dabbing on wrists or your neck for an affordably fragrant boost,Cheap Jerseys!

I think my favorite one,Coach Outlet Online, Blood Orange, not only smells like its namesake but also plays notes of mandarin,Coach Outlet,The New LORAC Holiday Lip Gloss Collection Is Tie Dye For, strawberry and raspberry…

They’re an affordable indulgence (sometimes,MAC To The Beach- A Bit of Blue for a Rainy Spring Day,Cheap NFL Jerseys, that’s all it takes to turn around a really bad day), and they get the Tabs stamp of approval, too, since they aren’t tested on animals and contain no animal products.

Choose from a wide selection of Pacifica fragrances in floral, fruity, spicy and woody scents. Available at Sephora and Whole Foods stores or online at pacificaperfumes.com. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Dec. 12

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Dec. 12

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• You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
  Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 198. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. Mood:

Not bad at all for a Monday. And I bet I’ll feel even better once I get in a few miles on the treadmill. My inner night owl can’t believe I’m saying this, but I really am turning into a morning person.

2. What’s the best way to treat/cure a cold?

I wish I knew,Coach Outlet Store, but if I can nip one in the bud as soon as I start feeling symptoms, I’ll usually feel better in a few days. I’m a firm believer in Cold-Eeze zinc lozenges, drinking tons of water with Emergen-C, skipping workouts and just taking it easy.

3. Your longest road trip?

I’m not sure if it was the longest in terms of distance,Cheap Jerseys, but it sure felt like it. when I was 15 my parents loaded everyone up in the RV,Cheap NFL Jerseys, and we went from the San Francisco Bay Area all the way up to Canada.

You know how it is when you’re that age, too, trapped in close quarters with your parents and no means of escape… Let’s just say that it was a very, very long trip.

4. Something you enjoyed last weekend?

Curling up on the couch under a blanket and watching a couple movies on TV, The Debt and Water for Elephants. Oh, I also had fun cruising Pier 1 for furniture and Christmas decorations.

5. What are the first things you notice about people when you meet them for the first time?

Their eyes, and I always notice when they’re smiling.

6. Who taught you to drive?

My dad, God love him, and it was about as much fun as a root canal. Before my first lesson,coach outlet, my mom made huge signs that read “Student Driver” and tried to tape them to the car, but I fought her tooth and nail on it and eventually won…

I knew things weren’t going well when after 5 minutes my dad was already yelling that I was “DRIVING TOO FAST,Coach Handbags Sale!” which I was, but in my defense the car had a broken speedometer.

After a day or so of this, he gave up and enrolled me in driving school, haha…

7. Your idols when you were a kid?

Outside of family, her Madge-esty, of course! And I also thought that Barbra Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters were pretty cool.

8. Who’s the strongest person you know?

It’s a tie between my mom, my mother-in-law and my friend, Jen. All three are pretty tough ladies.

9. Your favorite cold weather beverage?

Please pass me a piping hot soy chai latte, please. Pronto!

10. Weekly goals:

Make some headway on a few writing projects,Saturday Surfing_19, clean and organize my bookshelf, hang Tabs’ Christmas stocking, and soak up the holiday spirit,The Sula Beauty Eye Crayon in Never Say Never May Prefer Drier Lids Than Mine!

Hey, hey, friend. I hope you had a nice weekend. Do you have a minute to let me know how you’re doing in today’s Monday Poll? I feel like we need to catch up.

• To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
  

1. Mood:
2.?What’s the best way to treat/cure a cold?
3.?Your longest road trip?
4.?Something you enjoyed last weekend?
5.?What are the first things you notice about people when you meet them for the first time?
6.?Who taught you to drive?
7.?Your idols when you were a kid?
8.?Who’s the strongest person you know?
9.?Your favorite cold weather beverage?
10. Weekly goals:

You have a good week, okay? And try your best to smile.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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